The world of mobile marketing can be overwhelming for already-busy small business owners. But the explosion of smartphone use over the past few years is proof that it’s worth looking at the options.
According to recent reports, mobile marketing will generate $400 billion in sales by 2015. MYQROsites offers one option to reach customers through a device they already use – their smartphones.
Use QR Codes to Promote Your Mobile Site
MYQROsites offers a service that allows customers to create mobile sites promoted through a custom generated QR code. You’ve probably seen these already in magazines and other ads – they’re a square, 2-D barcode you can scan with your phone’s camera.
Scanning the QR code sends you directly to a mobile website. The benefit of using QR codes is speed and convenience. “It’s a quicker way to get to information than making someone type in a URL,” said Jon-Mikel Bailey, a principal at Wood Street Inc. and Kicking Apps LLC, which created MYQROsites.
The service allows business owners to manage their mobile sites themselves and upload photos, videos and other content for a monthly fee. It also provides technical support for any issues.
MYQROsites then allows clients to generate QR codes that can be added to marketing materials businesses already use, like postcards, fliers or other advertisements.
The video below shows more about how the service works.
This is an interesting app, but I have always found QR codes to be a major hinderance for driving conversions. You need to have a QR code reader installed on your phone and take the time to line up the shot correctly and hope it gets read properly by your phone.
Our clients run a lot of in-store contests with tent cards and in-store signage. Using a shortlink (like a bitly) is much easier for people to use to enter, and has led to a much higher overall conversion rate for our clients.
Jon-Mikel Bailey
Yeah, it is tricky sometimes. We find that as long as you incorporate a backup like a shortened URL, you will get better conversion. Just like anything, there certainly isn’t one magical tool that solves all the issues. Great point on bitly, thanks!
This sounds pretty good.
So, now “There’s an App for that.”
I’m wondering though; do a lot of prospective clients and customers use QR Codes?
I see them in several places…and my Droid RAZR can scan them-but I never use them.
Do you?
The Franchise King®
Jon-Mikel Bailey
I am finding them slowly trickling into the mainstream. I see them on parking meters all over my hometown and they are everywhere when I go on vacation. I am starting to see more and more people using them but it is always smart of offer a backup. The biggest advantage of MYQROsites is the ease of use when it comes to updating content on your mobile microsite.
Jennifer
I’ve seen QR codes on magnetic stickers on the backs of cars – get close enough and you can scan them without getting out from behind the wheel. Sites like the one you mentioned in the article will propel this marketing technique even further.
Just to test out, I have downloaded QR reader app and scanned the QR code and it certainly worked! I was amazed at how technology has advanced so much where it started with 2D bar codes that we see in supermarkets.
I agree with Nick here. That’s the problem with QR codes. You have to jump through hoops just to get it to work. I am by no means undermining the power of mobile marketing. Although QR codes have the exclusivity, it still requires too many steps to get it to work.
Jon-Mikel Bailey
Like I said, I think QR Codes will take time. They are very much mainstream in Asian where they became popular. But, you still need to make sure you cover all your bases. I love them, I will click twice to avoid typing in a URL. But, some will still just want to type in the URL.